Upcoming Institutes

Making the Good Reader and Citizen: The History of Literature Instruction in American Schools (Summer 2024 Webinar Series)

 
On July 10 and 11, 2024, Humanities Texas will hold two two-hour webinars for English language arts teachers investigating the history of secondary-school literature instruction in the twentieth century, specifically what constitutes a “good reader” and the role of literary study in democracy. 

Schedule and Curriculum

This two-part series will take place via Zoom from 10:00 am–12:00 pm CT on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11. Teachers who register will receive information for each webinar. Attending both sessions is encouraged but not required.

These webinars will investigate the history of secondary-school literature instruction in the twentieth century and educators’ and school reformers’ changing conceptions of what constitutes a “good reader.” Two sessions will explore how our current moment fits into a longer history of thinking about literature, society, and teaching. In investigating competing conceptions of the civic role of literature instruction in creating “good readers,” participants will investigate: 1) how historical events have compelled the fluctuations; 2) the role assessment has played; and 3) the impact of technologies of literature instruction on enacting and challenging these conceptions (including the high school canon and teachers’ lesson plans). In developing a richer, deeper understanding of literary studies and our profession, the program will help teachers serve as stronger leaders in their schools and more effective and creative practitioners in their classrooms.

The July 10 session will focus on the student-centered tradition in secondary-level education that emphasizes the role of literature in the student’s social, moral and personal development. This perspective is what we now might call a “reader response” approach to reading that values personal response and debate and sees reading instruction as preparation for democratic participation. The July 11 session will focus on a more text-centered, academic perspective that values content-knowledge or skill-development and sees literature as a pathway to scientific, self-disciplined modes of thinking that are also vital to the civic good.

Like all Humanities Texas teacher programs, the webinars will be content-based and teacher-centered, with an emphasis on developing effective pedagogical strategies. Content will align with the TEKS.  

Faculty

Jonna Perrillo (The University of Texas at El Paso), Audrey Brimberry (La Vega ISD), and Vanessa Sanders (Socorro ISD) will lead the webinar series.

Eligibility

The webinar series is open to secondary-level English language arts teachers in Texas schools. 

Cost, Attendance, and CPE Credit

The online program is free to teachers and their schools. Participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials for each session in the series. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to attend both sessions. CPE hours will be based on Zoom attendance and adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program. In order to attend the webinars and receive CPE credit, you must be a registered participant. 

How to Apply

Complete the online application for the webinar series. By submitting an application, you are signing up to receive information about and access to both webinars. Please apply as soon as possible, as registration will occur on a rolling basis.

Sponsors

The webinar series is made possible with major funding from the State of Texas with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.